Dartmoor - Brentor

 Brentor will be a familiar landmark to anyone who has travelled in west Devon and eastern Cornwall.  The tiny church of St Michael de Rupe clings precariously to the summit of a massive volcanic outcrop and is visible for many miles around. The tor itself is popular with visitors because it has one of the finest views in Devonshire, overlooking Dartmoor, Exmoor and Plymouth Sound in Devon, together with Bodmin Moor, Kit Hill and much of eastern Cornwall. But many visitors to the tor are unaware of an intriguing set of earthworks on the eastern slopes. These lumps and bumps probably represent the visible remains of a defended settlement of Iron Age date, as well as later activity on the tor, possibly dating to the Dark Ages or the medieval period.

Brentor had never before been thoroughly investigated and previous accounts of the  place's history had focussed only on the church and were often rooted in folklore rather than fact. The earthwork remains have clearly puzzled most archaeologists who have commented on them in the past. Reports varied as to exactly what the remains represented, though they were recognised as being of sufficient importance to be legally protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. So in 2004, the Dartmoor National Park Authority asked English Heritage's Archaeological Investigation Team to carry out a detailed analysis and survey to achieve a better understanding of the site and so assist with future management.  We have established that the earliest phase was an Iron Age hillfort, perhaps built around 500 BC. An earthen bank running around the base of the tor on its eastern side is all that now remains of what would once have been a massive defensive rampart. This is a very unusual position for an iron Age  rampart - they normally enclose the tops of hills - but in this case, the rampart was clearly built to complement the natural strength of the rocky outcrop. On the western side of the tor, where the ground is steep and rocky, no ramparts were necessary. The rampart is also unusual because it lacks the usual external ditch.  Despite having a strong-looking entrance on the eastern side the ramparts were never completed. This is not unusual at Iron Age hillforts and is particularly common around the peripheries of Dartmoor where at least four other examples are known.

 Further up the slope two parallel earthworks were also believed to have been ramparts by some previous writers, but we doubt this and are currently re-assessing their purpose based on our detailed survey and information from aerial photography. Other more subtle earthworks inside the rampart and further up the slope, including small rectangular platforms, are even more difficult to understand: suggestions as to their purpose range from a Dark Age settlement to evidence of a medieval sheep fair, which is known to have been held here between AD1231 and 1550.  

The full report on our research (ref.: AI/12/2004) can be ordered online. For further details about our investigation contact the Search Room of English Heritage's public archive, the National Monuments Record, on 01793 414700 or e-mail: customers@english-heritage.org.uk